Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

hamburger faces

Recruit
Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
2
I have a 1995 150 Fast Strike with a bad attitude. Heres the problem: Motor when cold will start right up and run perfectly. If I fish a spot quick for say 10 minutes or less it will also start right up and run fine.... Stop and fish for any longer motor starts right up but has no power and kills as soon as its under load at lower RPM's. Takes about 6-10 tries to get it going..once it gets past the low-range RPM's it will once again run fine but problem will repeat here and there throughout the day. Fuel primer bulb will not retain hardness either. I replaced the primer bulb and fuel line. Checked the vents in the tank, cleaned the air filter, cleaned the fuel filter, made sure there wasn't an air leak at the fuel pump, replaced sparkplugs,etc. I would assume I obviously have a fuel delivery issue.. Could it be the fuel pump? Vapor lock?? Any input would be appreciated.<br />Thanks
 

Cricket Too

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 14, 2003
Messages
1,732
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

Welcome to iboats. Do you have a fuel/water separator on this engine? When was the last time the carbs were rebuilt? What air filter are you talking about?
 

hamburger faces

Recruit
Joined
Jul 28, 2005
Messages
2
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

no fuel/water seperator. As far as the carbs go its been a while. I meant the airbox for the carbs.
 

Seasport

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 2, 2005
Messages
410
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

Welcome hamburger.<br /><br />What you describe is a common problem with these motors. Quite a few people have reported this problem.<br /><br />I had exactly the same problem on my 2001 Johnson 150. I could "fix" the problem by revving the motor in neutral until it "cleared". Then I could put it into gear and take off fine.<br /><br />Although it seems like a fuel-related problem, it might not be. It is very important that timing, idle mixture adjustment & link & sync are all set correctly for these motors.<br /><br />The reason that the problem only occurs when the motor is warm could be related to the fact that the motor has a Quikstart feature which advances the ignition timing by 10 degrees when it is cold. This will make a difference if the problem is timing related.<br /><br />A few things to check:<br />(i) Sticky timing sensor support plate<br />The optical timing sensor is attached to a plate which rotates in a plastic track mounted above the flywheel. The plate should return to idle position under spring tension. My motor had a sticky timing plate and wasn't returning fully to idle position (someone else reported the same problem). One member paid $400 to get this fixed with replacement parts but I fixed this myself using fine valve grinding paste. I lapped the two surfaces into each other until the plate rotated freely (with some grease to lubricate).<br /><br />(ii) Check that timing is set correctly. You need an anlayzer to do this properly. I can supply details for a DIY analyzer if you want to have a go at making your own. (Email me at Seasport1@hotmail.com if you want to do this.)<br /><br />(iii) Check that idle mixture screws are set not too lean<br /><br />(iv) Check that throttle/ignition are linked & synched correctly<br /><br />You'll need a service manual if you want to have a go at these yourself (not too hard).
 

clanton

Rear Admiral
Joined
Jul 9, 2001
Messages
4,876
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

Look for burnt spots on the plate between the coils and power pack, the isulation breaks down on the coils and coiuls arc to plate causing a misfire. you will also be able to see the spot on the coil. This arcing can also power pack failure.
 

fishtrap

Cadet
Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

i have the exact same problem with my 96 150 faststrike ...any info would help..all local dealers give the same bring it in answer which i understand but there has to be a common part failure as many posts as ive read about the same sort of problem...
 

ab1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 2, 2010
Messages
111
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

I am having this exact problem and there are old posts all over different forums about this. I'm thinking it's heat soak...very interested to follow this thread. I won't start a new one since this is the same issue but someone please help. I adjusted the timing roller to touch the cam, it was about 1/2" off but haven't had a chance to run it yet to see if that helps. Mine is 93 150fast strike.
 

fishtrap

Cadet
Joined
May 24, 2010
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

after a lot of reading i think im going for the powrpack my motor is a 96 150 faststrike and from the info the prior owner gave me its all original so its not a matter of if but when the powerpack is replaced ill let you know when i do it @ aprox $300.00 its not top on the list
 

albass

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 30, 2004
Messages
156
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

I'm in the same boat as all you guys 1991 fastrike same symptons had carbs rebuilt and was all right for a while now someone came over to sync and lync but the meter wouldn't work on my motr says the optical sensor is gone and will bereplacing it today will let you all know as well
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

Get an infra red thermometer if you suspect heat soak.
Let it idle before shutting it down so it cools off, pump cold fuel into the bowls before starting it up.
 

ab1

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 2, 2010
Messages
111
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

thanks...I will let it idle before stopping and pump some cool gas and see what that does. What should we be looking for with an IR thermometer?
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

thanks...I will let it idle before stopping and pump some cool gas and see what that does. What should we be looking for with an IR thermometer?

Overheating. Does the overtemp alarm work?
 

lss2tb

Cadet
Joined
Jun 15, 2009
Messages
8
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

I posted this almost exact same post about this time last year,I have 1998 Johnson 175 Fast Strike with the exact same issues.To this day i have still not fixed the problem.I have tried everything that has been listed to do.I have finally bought a factory manual but looks like you need some pretty sophisticatd tools to do the timing procedures etc.I guess i have just learned to live with it doing this.I just slightly raise the idle a few seconds before taking off to clean it out a bit before relocating fishing spots.Sometimes still does not do the trick it will just bog the more throttle you try to give it while getting on plane and eventually it will just take off and run like a scalded dog.I would give a million dollars to get this issue fixed.I have took mine in to service mechanic and had carbs rebiult,plugs,wires,tried a buddies power pack,nothing seems to work.Im sure it is probably a timing issue just need the tools to try.
Good luck,Let me know if you find an answer
 

cpoynter84

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 18, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

I have the same problem and I have done everything i can think of doing. Its like there is an air bubble in the line.
 

cpoynter84

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 18, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

i have a96 johnson 150 and i have rebuilt the carbs and the vapor seporator and replaced the primer bulb. I give up
 

Sir Robin

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2010
Messages
126
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

Do we all have an added can of seafoam just prior to our problems in common? My Rude 150 sounds like all the above symptoms., but only AFTER a can of seagoo.........
I wonder did i ruin it by doing that to it????? Do we all think that it is tune up in a can or what?

Just a thought...tho i wish i hadn't used it in mine:(
 

cpoynter84

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 18, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

I havent used any of that stuff. I bought the motor not to long ago and it has always done this. I have tried everything.
 

jonesg

Admiral
Joined
Feb 22, 2008
Messages
7,198
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

It seems you don't know what is causing the problem.?

Try this, it will show what the problem is, we can't fix it if we don't know the cause.

Run normally, when you stop to fish remove the engine cowl, this will cool the engine, if the problem goes away then its definately heat soak related.

If so.....fuel without ethanol should solve the problem. Ethanol boils off quicker than gas, that leaves oil rich fuel in the bowls.
A slightly wider gap sparkplug might help too without other mods.
 

cpoynter84

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Dec 18, 2009
Messages
31
Re: Johnson 150 Fast Strike Help??

I believe it is a vapor lock. Its like an air bubble in the fuel line.
 
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